Twenty-two cosmetics companies are attempting to foil the new California Safe Cosmetics Program Database by applying for trade secret status to cover up revealing toxic chemical ingredients to the public. The database, which was released at the start of 2014 for the state’s Safe Cosmetics Act, is a tell-all about the ingredients to over 1,500 cosmetic products regularly used by consumers. By applying for “trade secret” status, these companies, which include Dial, Right Guard and CHI Organics, hope to skirt the issue of revealing to their public that they use carcinogens in their products.

Of the companies that have filed, most are recognizable brands, such as Shiseido, Tresemme, Nexxus, Gold Bond, Selsun Blue and even brands that claim to be “green”, like CHI Organics. Trade secret statuses are common, and can protect companies who have developed products to keep a competitive edge. But the companies involved in this recent influx are instead attempting to deceive the public by not complying with California’s new pledge to be transparent about cosmetic ingredients, which aims to protect the public from chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive issues and birth defects.

Rather than applying for trade secret status for one or two products that could keep a brand apart from the rest, these companies are instead placing hundreds of products on the trade secret list, a complete abuse of the system which simply acts as a cover up to harmful chemicals.

Concerned citizens can tweet to @women4earth, a cofounder of the California Safe Cosmetics Act, to voice their concerns.